Dear Readers,
Seeing as the current Leaving Certs are nearing the end of the life-draining year, I feel it’s relevant to re-publish this post! Having finished last year and near the end of my first year of college, I think it would only be right to reflect on the life of leaving certificate, how you deal with it and the general deterioration of sanity you experience.
1) The first month or so of Leaving Cert is relatively similar to 5th year. Still working on courses, your social life is still sort of intact. You being to think “oh, this isn’t so bad. I can so get a good Leaving Cert!”
2) The weeks go by and you begin to feel a bit more pressure as words like “mock exams” and “projects” begin to get thrown around. Teachers aren’t just reading and highlighting any more, they’re piling on revision work as well as current work and you’re previously positive thoughts begin to dip a little. It’s okay though, you think, I still have like 7/8 months. Loooooads of time.
3) WRONG. You see, during the course of the Leaving Cert time does this funny thing where it goes 10 times faster than the last five years. It’s December. Teachers are harping on about the mock exams. How time will flyyy. You should study. However, Christmas comes along and the stresses of exams are far from thought and before you know it, it’s the night before school returns and you have a pile of projects, notes and unused pens sprawled around you.
4) January is a blur. Why are teachers still giving you homework? Mocks are in like 3 weeks? “They don’t mean anything.” “Loads of time after the mocks” “Don’t wanna burn out now!” And you’re right. Don’t burn out in January. However, it is at this time that your sanity is starting to fail you. You find yourself saying things like “did I just eat a whole jar of Nutella?” “I can’t remember life before the Leaving Cert..” “Is this even worth it? Maybe I can drop out and become a street mime.” The weight gain is real.
5) The Mocks pass and you think it went how you expected it to. “Grand.” Kinda. From here, you realise that you can no longer expect to look decent. You live in your pyjamas and tracksuits and your hair.. Let’s not go there. Mock results can be upsetting but they’re also motivators. HOWEVER. Oral exams are on the horizon, you’re dreaming of “Léigh anois go curamach ar do scrúdpháipéar na treoracha agus na ceisteanna a ghabhann le Cuid A,” and it’s the perfect excuse to ignore all else until after easter. March and April whirl past with project write-ups and oral practise.
6) Easter passes. Leaving Cert is in a month or two. Seriously beginning to question life choices. You began 6th year thinking maybe 500 points was achievable but right now you’d settle for a simple pass. You start daydreaming about summer plans, ignoring the three week block of exams to jump past. Then, suddenly, YOU GRADUATE.
7) The two weeks before the Leaving Cert are interesting. You want to eat everything and nothing at the same time. Sugar is all you crave. Books are all you know. You’re not quite sure you’ll be able to stop studying. And then hey presto, exams arrive. The thought might make the blood drain from your face right now but when the time comes you just kind of.. do it. Like a robot.
The important thing to remember is that it will eventually come to an end. You will have changed dramatically this year and so too will other people. Freedom will never have tasted so good (it will likely taste of alcohol) and quite frankly, there’s a little too much freedom. It’s difficult to wind down but it happens.
Keep your mental health in check for the next few weeks. You-time will be invaluable. It isn’t easy but it will be worth it on results day when you’ll realise you’ve done better than you thought you could. Although having a good Leaving Cert to your name will be handy, it isn’t the only option you will ever have in life. Breathe, prioritise, and don’t forget to take time out. If I can do it, everyone else certainly can! Best of luck 🙂
Love,
Kerry x
Kerry Elizabeth Writing 